Mark Duplass wanted to veer away from shows like ‘Euphoria’ for ‘Penelope’: Lead character is ‘incredible role model’

nypost.com:

during the pandemic. I think we were all feeling a little strange and disconnected. We all also became addicted to our technology.

But at the same time, I was starting to realize this technology – our phones, our relations to them – might be destroying us,” Duplass, 47, told The Post.

Four years after he started writing “Penelope,” as it’s about to premiere (Sept. 24 on Netflix), “There’s massive movements all over the world as we realize what our phones have done to our mental health,” he said. “And, what we’ve lost by disconnecting from nature.” “So, I’m just really excited to take [the show] out into the world at a time when people are more open to seeing different ways of living our lives.” The actor, director, writer, and filmmaker most recently got an Emmy nomination for “outstanding supporting actor in a drama series” in Apple’s “The Morning Show,” starring Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon. (His co-star, Billy Crudup, ultimately took home that trophy.) “Awards are a funny thing, I tend to be of two minds,” said Duplass. “The first is, I think it’s silly to have any competition in the creative realm.

So, I don’t put too much stock in them. But then, as soon as I get nominated, I get really excited, and throw all that stuff away.” Together with his brother, Jay, Duplass also created, directed, and produced a slew of documentaries and horror projects, such as the HBO anthology horror series “Room 104” and the hit 2018 Netflix documentary “Wild Wild Country.” For “Penelope,” Duplass co-wrote and co-produced it with Mel Eslyn (and it’s produced by Duplass Brothers Productions).